Toolholder



July 5, 1949. Q R wlTTLE 2,475,268

` TooLHoLDEB Filed June ll, 1946 l5/fm.

IN V EN TOR.

Patented July 5, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE TOOLHOLDER Clarence R. Wlttle, Lancaster, Pa.

Application June 11, 1948, Serial No. .675,921

1 Claim. (Cl. 279-14) This invention relates to a tool holder, and more particularly to such a 4device adapted for holding small hand tools.

A primary object f this invention is the provision oi an improved device adapted for the retention of hand tools, such as wrenches, taps, drills, files, and analogous devices.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a device characterized by grooved surfaces, whereby tools of a variety of crosssectional shapes may be retained securely in position therein.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of such a device including ilat surfaces, whereby such tools as saw blades, or the like, may be securely held.

A further object of the invention is the provi sion of such a device having means whereby a plurality of tools, such as a plurality oi wrenches. may be retained in position in such manner that any wrench is readily accessible at all times.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of such a device adapted for the holding of wrenches, so arranged and constructed that the bend in a conventional wrench is protected and reinforced by the sides of the handle.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one form of tool handle embodying the instant invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of one of the elements of the device, the other element being removed.

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the device shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the device showing a pair of wrenches in one pition of adjustment therein.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing the wrenches in a different position of adjustment, certain concealed portions thereof being indicated by dotted lines.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, showing a still further modified position of the Wrenches.

Figures 7 and 8 are top plan views of the device showing dierent tools in association therewith.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figure 1, the device is comprised o! two oppositely disposed semi-cylindrical members II) and Il, respectively, each being provided with a pair of aligned threaded bores i2 and I3, respectively. The bores I2 of the member I0 are provided at their upper extremities with recesses Il to accommodate the heads I5 of screws Il adapted to extend therethrough and engage the bores I3 of the member il. With the exception of the recesses I4 above mentioned, the devices are substantially identical, although, if desired, identical recesses may be similarly positioned in the member i I in such manner that a single form of semi-cylindrical coniiguration may be utilized for both halves of the tool. As an illustrative embodiment of the invention, and referring particularly to Figure 2, the member I i is provided at its mid-point with a transversely extending triangular groove I'I positioned in the center of a fiat portion I8. Longitudinally extending grooves I9 of triangular cross-sectional conguration extend substantially the full length of the device, being aligned across the iiattened portion i8, and terminating in grooves 20 of substantially triangular cross-section, and of greater depth than the grooves i9, extending transversely across the end of the device. The extreme ends of the device are cut away, as at 2i, to a distance equal to the depth of the longitudinally extending grooves i9.

From the foregoing, the method of use of the device should new be readily understandable. The screw heads I5 may be rotated, separating the two members Iii and il, whereupon a pair of wrenches 25 and 26, which may be rectangular, hexagonal, or octagonal in coniguration, may be inserted, as shown in Figure 4, longitudinally of the device into the channels i9, whereupon the screw heads may be re-tightened, and the opposite extremities 2l and 28 of the wrenches, respectively, positioned to extend outwardly on opposite sides of the tool.

As an alternative position of adjustment, the wrenches may be arranged as indicated in Figure 5, with the operating ends thereof extending outwardly from opposite ends of the handle portion. A still further modication is disclosed in Figure 6, wherein the short extremity 21 of the wrench 25 is positioned in the channels I9, the end portion thereof extending outwardly through the iiattened space I8 in the center of the device. The wrench 26 may be.arranged either in the longitudinal grooves I9, or alternatively, in either of the transverse grooves 2l. Obviously, if desired, as many as four wrenches may be positioned in the device, extending in different planes and at different angles.

Figure 7 shows a modiiied form ot device, wherein a tap 30 is positioned in the device, the head thereof being positioned in the transverse groove I1 and clamped securely in position, and a still further modification is disclosed in Figure 8, wherein a countersink 3| is positioned similarly in the groove I1.

Obviously, numerous tools may be utilized in conjunction with the device, if desired, in a plurality of arrangements, and extending to various positions therein.

Equally obviously, the device may be constructed of any desired material, although a light weight metal such as aluminum or the like has been found preferable in practice. Similarly the device may be made in any desired size, and the cross-sectional configuration of grooves or channels previously discussed may be varied to accommodate a variety of tools of varying crosssectional shapes.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided a device which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utilty and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that al1 matter herein is to be interpreted merely a illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

A detachable handle for tools comprising straight narrow elongated handle members having outer surfaceswhich are transversely curved and inner iiat faces, transverse screws adJustably connecting the handle members at points near and spaced from their ends. the screws being arranged at the transverse centers of the handle members, the inner faces of the handle members being provided near their longitudinal edges and outwardly of the screws with longitudinal grooves extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle members, the grooves of one handle member being opposed to the grooves of the other 'handle member for receiving tools to extend longitudinally of the handle and beyond the ends of the same for providing the maximum leverage, said handle members being provided at their longitudinal centers with opposed transverse grooves separate from the longitudinal grooves for receiving a tool arranged at right angles to the handle and projecting laterally beyond the handle, said handle members being provided at their ends with transverse grooves, the end transverse grooves of one handle member being opposed to the end transverse grooves of the other handle member for receiving and holding a transverse tool at either end of the handle to produce the maximum leverage.

CLARENCE R. WI'I'I'LE.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenices are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,980,087 Rast Nov. 6, 1934 2,346,364 Dawe Apr. 11, 1944 

